Elected member in UP takes DNA test to prove ‘she is alive’

The next hearing in the matter is on August 27.

In a tale that has the makings of a suspense thriller, a woman has been told to prove she is who she claims to be and not an imposter.
The woman, Hashimi Begum, chairperson of Manjhanpur Nagar Panchayat in Kaushambi, Friday gave her and her kin’s blood samples for DNA testing.

The move comes after former chairperson of the town, Nazeer Ahmed, who lost to Hashimi in 2012, alleged that the woman had died and her son had got an imposter who was occupying the post of chairperson. The allegations were made in February this year.

The same month, the then District Magistrate (Kaushambi) issued a notice asking Hashimi to prove that she was alive. Reportedly, the DM did not accept that the woman, who had presented herself as Hashimi Begum, was the same as the one who got elected.

Subsequently, Ahmed approached the Allahabad High Court. On August 4, the HC directed the district administration to expedite the inquiry into the matter.

In response to this petition, Hashimi Begum filed a plea in HC seeking registration of an FIR against Ahmed and a local newspaper for spreading rumours about her death. The next hearing in the matter is on August 27.

Confirming the collection of blood samples of Hashimi Begum, her husband and their son, Kaushambi Additional District Magistrate Babu Ram said: “A conclusion would be reached after the report is received”.

In his complaint, Ahmed alleged that Hashimi Begum went to Mumbai in October 2013 for treatment for a disease and died there. Her son, Ahmed alleged, then foisted another woman, who is now the chairperson.

Talking to The Sunday Express, Hashimi Begum said: “I had gone to the Tata (Memorial Centre) Hospital in Mumbai as my son’s two-year-old daughter was suffering from blood cancer. She died on November 4. I mostly stayed in Mumbai and returned once in a while to carry out necessary duties as the chairperson. Suddenly, I got to hear that I have been declared dead”. She said it was being done to harass her and prevent her from doing good work.